Prospecting Series: A Closer Look at the Grapes For Our Grenache

Meet the Venturis

Hello!

In exciting news, you may have heard we recently released our Prospecting Series 2.0, the 2020 Venturi Vineyard Grenache! The release is a follow-up to the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. We kept the source of our Napa Cab a secret…mainly because we got a fantastic deal on the super-premium “Napa Valley'' grapes and the farmers didn’t want anyone else to know. Yeah, we gamed the system ;)

This time around, we’re “spilling the grapes” on The Grenache. These grapes come from a well-respected vineyard located in the Capella-Redwood Valley of Mendocino, run and operated by a remarkable couple who deserve some recognition.

So…without further ado, here’s their story:

The Venturi Vineyard is owned by Larry and Doreen Venturi(pictured above), 3rd generation farmers and Italian immigrants whose families have been established in the agricultural trade since 1916. 

In 1965, when Larry and Doreen married, they purchased a 15-acre vineyard up the hill from their family’s ranch. During the week, the couple held down white-collar jobs in Petaluma. But on the weekends, they would escape to Mendocino to tend to the vines and eventually fell in love with the farmer's life.

After 15 years in Petaluma, the Venturis returned to Mendocino in the 80s and purchased the Venturi Vineyard from Larry’s father. They continued working ‘day jobs’ while maintaining the vines and selling grapes to various producers, including the Berringer Brothers and Hess Winery (both of whom they still sell to today). Fast forward to present day and there is great demand for the Venturi grapes, from small producers and big wineries alike. 

Larry Venturi’s approach to grape growing has always been a bit traditional, inspired by his Italian heritage and grandparent’s way of farming. His vines are dry-farmed (no water, aside from natural dew and rain) and organically farmed (without the use of synthetic herbicides or pesticides). As a result, the Venturi grapes are able to get incredible flavor concentration. Larry tends to an impressive range of grapevines-some over 100 years in age! - including Grenache, Syrah, Carignane Charbono (an old-school grape we love), Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, and Merlot. 

The Venturis are well respected in the wine world and we are very excited to release our take on their historic vineyard.

To order The Prospecting Series Grenache from the Venturi Vineyard: Click here

To read more in-depth on the Venturi family:https://mendowine.com/venturi-vineyards/